Saturday, September 30, 2017

Review: Twice As Wicked

Twice As Wicked Twice As Wicked by Elizabeth Bright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A whole lot happened in that prologue.

Someone actually tried to poison him?

She wants to kill him, but she saves him from a rogue chandelier? Is it a case of "If I don't kill him, no one else can"?

Wait a minute. He thinks his own brother is trying to kill him?

I would have loved to have seen the inside of Westminster Abbey. It was closed when I went to London.

Huh. Lady Claire might actually be the culprit.

Nicholas is decidedly less evil-sounding than I expected.

It's so much easier for a woman to undress nowadays.

Life would be so much easier if women made all the decisions.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Review: The Scot Beds His Wife

The Scot Beds His Wife The Scot Beds His Wife by Kerrigan Byrne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

That's child abuse!

Damn, I wish his mother could get a divorce, or at least run away with Thorne, maybe even Liam.

Thank God his mother survived!

Crap, I thought Liam would turn out okay. I guess that night was the tipping point. Is Hamish the one who was hanged? Because I wouldn't have minded that.

Did the government allow you to change your last name like that?

What just happened?

Really, Sam, You just met a hot Highlander, and you're thinking you might have to shoot him one day?

What is he, in the mafia? Does he always travel in a pack?

Whoa. She is really taking this acting job seriously. If I didn't know better, I'd think she actually was Alison Ross.

A lot of cursing going on.

Small world.

They did not have that phrase in the 1800's.

Yep, Callum knows.

She keeps tripping up with things that the Scottish-born Alison would know.

He was going to shoot a pregnant cow! Shouldn't he know the signs of labor if he is going to be a cattle baron? Although it is cute how mesmerized he is by the miracle of life.

Shoot, she's pregnant. A baby is always a blessing, though.

Damn, things just escalated quickly. Her brothers-in-law must have followed her.

When did Dorian enter the picture, I wonder.

Aw, I sense a love match between his mother and Callum's father.

Only he could propose, and in the next breath plan their eventual affairs.

Should pregnant women be taking laudanum? I always wondered.

Whose name will she sign on the marriage certificate?

Yeesh, a branding iron? Ouch!

I like how she talks back to His Lairdship.

Does this make the real Alison a bigamist?

Um, guys? Did you forget you're outside, and that he was about to go on a ride with other men?

They're just so cute together!

Colleen was schizophrenic.

Just when you think your problems are over, the cops show up.

Sex on a train.

They say the true test of a relationship is travel.

Ruh-roh!

Haha, I know, right?

Such a great set-up for future books.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Sunday, September 24, 2017

Victoria Season 2 Episode 5

Your great-uncle is now your grandfather, Vicki.

Albert can draw!

Sorry, Baroness. No French food for you.

That is a beautiful ship. But Albert and Skerrett are a little seasick.

Louis-Philippe is interesting.

The duchess is scandalized. Of course.

Lord Alfred is still bitter that his crush is getting married, to a woman.

Victoria is loving France, you guys.

The French will come up with anything to enhance themselves.

Antoinne looks like he would never work a day in his life.

Jenna Coleman doesn't look much different.

PETA would have a field day with the king.

Now that's a croquembouche!

Albert is not a happy camper. Secrets will out, though.

Muttonchops were not a good look.

Give it a rest, girl! Ernest is not for you.

The duchess is not a fan of phalllic-looking bread.

The men are so over this garden party. Time for manly pursuits in the woods.

Of course it's cold and wet, Antoinne. It's water.

Drummond is having the time of his life. Fully clothed, Ernest? Don't get sick, now.

I think those two have officially come out of the closet.

Haha, you had us all going there for a minute, Victoria!

I really wish DNA tests had been invented, for Albert's sake.

All it took were some grapes. I feel bad for the Spanish queen, who will have to wait longer for a husband.

I owe you an apology, Peele. I thought you were being entirely too pessimistic, but you were right.

I knew she'd get knocked up in France. And hallelujah, she's happy about it!

Outlander season 3 Episode 3

Aww, cute doggie. There is a cake just sitting there, and no one's eating it? For shame, haha!

My uncle was born that year.

He's been out with other women, and it's taken six years for Claire to realize it? Boy, when she finds out Jamie slept with Mary. heads will roll!

The new warden is getting quite an orientation. Hunting, hidden gold, and Red Jamie, all at one post.

They don't even let Jamie out of his chains in the cell?

Hi, Murtagh! You're not looking so good.

The poor Scots couldn't have even a scrap of tartan.

He knows who Claire is, Jamie. You can say her name. But I sighed anyway.

There's a new sheriff in town. Cats make babies too, Grey. You'll have a cat problem instead. And the prisoners eat the rats? Ewww.

Frankie-boy's got a date, who apparently didn't know he was married.

Did this shmuck just thank Jamie for coming, like he's been invited to tea? And then ask him to speak Gaelic?

And so goes things in the happy Randall household. I love you, Tobias.

Crazy future-seeing man.

I love every time Jamie shares something he learned from Claire. He was paying attention! Best husband ever!

He's been to France, Grey. The "prisoner" has class.

I feel bad for the other prisoners. They get to hear about the meal, but will never eat it.

Fresh air for the prisoners! A plan's afoot.

Why did you come back, Jamie?

He can't escape the Grey brothers.

John, if your "friend" was Black Jack, I will slap you.

HE SAID HER NAME!

You been had, John!

Jamie's had enough of the buggery. Is every Englishman a closet gay?

Helwater looks pretty.

Um. Guess Frank won't be getting that divorce.

Victoria Season 2 Episode 4

Good thing all those men didn't have to be in the delivery room with her.

Hello, postpartum depression.

Er, bye, Albert's dad.

How long did it take Tom Hughes to learn to speak German?

The prince doubled your wages, did he? Are you sure, Skerrett?

Damn, Albert laid down the law. The baroness is on the case!

Yes, "friend" is a euphemism, buddy.

You are the one who wanted to hire a wet nurse, Victoria.

Have fun with this one, Ernest.

Poor Albert. Bet he really wishes he brought Victoria now.

That was a short trip to the hospital.

19th-century sisterhood therapy.

Yeah, Ms. Cook, come and be their beard.

Albert is a funny, intellectual drunk.

You wanted to "bring him comfort"? So, he wasn't fathered by an inappropriate lech, but now he knows his father is someone who would sleep with his own brother's wife? How is that better, Leopold?

Aww.

Ernest knows.

The homoerotic bromance is over.

You go away, and the family expands, Albert.

Creepy tunnel.

Skerrett is looking at Albert like he's crazy.

So Francatelli sold the story? What about her cousin?

There is still a lot of stigma surrounding postpartum depression, even today.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Outlander Season 3 Episode 2

Didn't you just miss that song?

Clearly some time has passed, because Jamie is a bit, um, hairy in that wanted poster. And fair enough, it's now 1752.

Fergus survived Culloden! Too bad he hasn't grown an inch in six years, though.

Damn redcoats. And a Scot fighting on the side that likely killed his relatives. Ugh.

Nice to see Rabbie again. He was the little boy that Claire saved from an abusive father.

Way to be creepy, Jamie.

Who else heard the theme song to Last of the Mohicans in their heads when he was aiming for the buck?

Guess there isn't much cause for talking in the woods, by yourself.

Hel-lo naked Jamie. How we've missed you.

Sucks to be you, Frank.

A bit of breaking the fourth wall here, as Caitriona Balfe is actually Irish.

I wonder if Sam actually knows how to gut a fish. He learned archery for the season.

Fergus, he thinks of you as a son. Remember that. Claire would want him to keep you safe.

Ah, the times when drinking during and immediately after your pregnancy was allowed. Do you think all the babies were born drunk?

Oh, yeah. I forgot it is now illegal for Scots to carry weapons, or even own them.

What will they do if the redcoats come back, especially that Scot who is eager to please his superiors? They can't keep hiding a baby.

I'm just not interested in the present storyline. It's depressing. She should have stayed with Jamie.

I skipped over the Fergus part. My heart couldn't take it. I started watching again when Jamie bound the wound like "milady" used to do it.

Poor kid. First Black Jack, then this.

Oh, that was deep, Ian.

I guess no one ever says her name around him, if his surprise when Ian does is anything to go by.

They slashed the crest?!

I'm torn. I'm with Jenny on this. But I can see how the hermit life is no life at all. Jamie wants to just get it over with.

He's back!

Ooh, someone's gonna get laid. She's not as pretty as Claire, but she'll do. And Claire's using Frank like a breathing vibrator, so...

That professor is a twat. Joe seems nice.

How very '50s. Although, since she's still mentally married to Jamie, this might be best. And Brianna never questioned this? Maybe she just grew up to assume her mother was a cold fish.

That was some good play-acting. Although, I m tempted to believe that when Jenny said she would never forgive him for this, she was telling the truth. And Jamie knows it.

Ah, that was a lovely end scene.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Victoria Season 2 Episode 3

The shape of your head will dictate if you become a criminal? Yeah, there's a quack.

That is such a cute baby.

The mission is yours should you choose to accept it, Albert.

Did Lord M. have cancer?

That guy is the laziest household manager ever.

Albert is getting to see how the other half lives.

Victoria ain't just a pretty face, Peele. Bam!

Haha, the duchess doesn't know what hit her!

Their foreplay is so cute.

I know the people of London were starving, but this is my kind of ball. Although Peele looks like he swallowed a lemon while standing in Fulton Fish Market.

Albert doesn't think this was a good idea.

Honey, get a clue. Ernest will never be yours.

Rufus Sewell is at home in the Middle Ages.

Wow, that scene was cinematographically beautiful.

I had no idea that Albert designed the parliament building.

Someone's been skimming from the top.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Outlander Season 3 Episode 1

FINALLY it's time for Season 3. The Battle of Culloden has lasted a long damn time.

Meep. I usually skip the credits, but wow! A lot is going to happen this season.

Phew, I thought the bearded fellow was Rupert for a second.

Yep, the British sucked. I know it's better to put someone dying out of their misery, but that boy could have lived!

Play dead, Jamie. Now.

Ugh, Charlie. You should have died just for being an idiot, not these poor men.

Just what this situation needed, snow.

No Jamie, don't charge. Run!

Dang, Rupert got skills!

Smothered by grass. That's a new one.

Hiya, Murtagh. Don't die.

The Scots had no chance. They had claymores, the British had guns and cannons.

Bastard! Jamie shall get his revenge. Love the slow-motion. And why does Black Jack always look at him like he's a specimen in a laboratory?

Wait, how long were these two fighting? And why does everything with Black Jack always end up vaguely homoerotic?

I wish "Claire" said "On your feet, soldier!"

He dropped the amber! Noo!

I love you, Tobias Menzies.

That's one thing that was easier in the 1700's. Have fire, can cook.

Well, her second husband would have liked it, and would have admired her resourcefulness.

Oh, boy. Claire is gripping Frank's hand just so she doesn't lunge at that professor.

Actions speak louder than words. She might say the baby is Frank's, but don't touch her belly. That privilege is reserved for Jamie.

Low blow, Frank. I'd have thrown pottery at you, too.

Attaboy, Rupert. Go down swingin'. I'll miss you. But where the hell is Murtagh?!

Appliances are loud when you're trying to sleep.

Aw Frank, you were going to do something decent for once.

The scum British officer has a soul after all.

Son of a-! She literally would have been better off having the baby in Jamie's time.

That officer will get some points in heaven.

Sorry Frank, you are not the father. Remember?

Review: The Rogue's Conquest

The Rogue's Conquest The Rogue's Conquest by Lily Maxton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Women and children were to be seen and not heard.

Cecil is always the inbred cousin's name.

She could pass for a man just by changing her hair and wearing glasses? Now there's a confidence booster.

Why is he trying to hide his accent, if they already live in Scotland?

Georgina is fun, if a little crazy.

She really isn't aware of social niceties, is she?

Did he just...? Oh honey, you certainly have your work cut out for you.

She and Lady Sarah sound like kindred spirits.

Someone's jealous.

I knew it.

His father is more the bastard than he ever was.

They are going to fight in the snow? They couldn't find an abandoned building?

Ouch, the guy pulled out James's hair?!

I predict Robert's future wife will walk all over him.

It's nice that he gets her.

Ah, very tricksy, James. You must really like silk damask.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Victoria Season 2 Episode 2

Talk German to me, baby.

Aw, honey. we really need to get you a crystal ball. Yep, children. Lots of children.

Acrobatic. I hope that is one tasty apple.

Oh, what hobbies does his father have? I assume women?

A lady in a mathematical society? Good for her!

So cool. Who needs calculators?

Hello, Lord M. I've missed you.

Uh-huh. You are so pregnant, Victoria.

They really need better security at the palace. Was it really that easy to enter?

Well, you're no longer infatuated with the poor man, so that's a plus.

Ooh, intrigue. Especially if you know your history.

Slavery was still happening in America at this time. For Ira Aldridge to be free and performing for the Queen? Wow!

Run, Peele, run!

Lord M, 1. Uncle, 0.

Who needs the gym?

Poor girl is only a Catholic.

You are definitely jealous, Albert.

Remind me never to be a messenger boy.

I never questioned why the Venus flytrap has that name.

Wrong person to tell, Duchess. Although Diana Rigg looked about to burst!

This was a very productive visit. Retirement doesn't seem so fun anymore, does it Lord M.?

Ugh, leeches.

Uncle Leopold can be nice, when he's not trying to stir up trouble.

Aw, cute brothers moment.

The first modern working mother, it seems.

They didn't know about hormones yet.

Sigh.